Review of Anatomy of a Murder (1959) by Rod S — 01 Jun 2011
Using his finely tuned, effortless charm, James Stewart brilliantly carries Anatomy of a Murder, Otto Preminger's witty (and apparently accurate) courtroom drama. Stewart plays Paul Biegler, a run-of-the-mill Michigan lawyer hired to defend an Army officer (Ben Gazzara) who has admitted to murdering a local bar owner.
Excellently written, competently directed, and radical for the 1950s, Anatomy of a Murder boasts a fine drama, a terrific court case, and a fantastic ensemble, headed by the likes of Stewart, Gazzara, Lee Remick, Arthur O'Connell, George C.
Scott, and Eve Arden. Unfortunately, the film suffers from excess subplots (the entire Canada bit is a little ridiculous), an ending that is a little too neat, and some intense pacing issues. Overall, however, Anatomy of a Murder is a fine film.
This review of Anatomy of a Murder (1959) was written by Rod S on 01 Jun 2011.
Anatomy of a Murder has generally received very positive reviews.
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